Tell them quill-y boy is here: How does one hold a baby hedgehog? Gently, of course. (Rescue center in Burrow, Germany.)

Tell them quill-y boy is here: How does one hold a baby hedgehog? Gently, of course. (Rescue center in Burrow, Germany.)

Photo: Stefan Sauer, AFP/Getty Images

Tell them quill-y boy is here: How does one hold a baby hedgehog?... Photo-3882878.53820 - seattlepi.com

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You're just using me for my ball possession: Germany's Anja Althaus (right) appears to sneak a kiss, but Montenegro's Biljana Pavicevic knows the real object of her desire is the handball. (European Women's Handball Championship Group II match in Novi Sad, Serbia.) less

You're just using me for my ball possession: Germany's Anja Althaus (right) appears to sneak a kiss, but Montenegro's Biljana Pavicevic knows the real object of her desire is the handball. (European Women's ... more

Santa's little helper dresses for the kick-off of Christmas celebrations in Athens' main Syntagma Square. Instead of the customary tree, this year the crisis-ravaged Greek capital will sport an assortment of smaller concept trees arranged on a scaffold. less

Santa's little helper dresses for the kick-off of Christmas celebrations in Athens' main Syntagma Square. Instead of the customary tree, this year the crisis-ravaged Greek capital will sport an assortment of ... more

You forgot to make him take off his belt: A Capitol Hill police officer checks Santa Claus with a metal-detecting wand at the Capitol in Washington. Santa was visiting Speaker of the House John Boehner to urge him to pass pending "fiscal cliff" legislation before Christmas. less

You forgot to make him take off his belt: A Capitol Hill police officer checks Santa Claus with a metal-detecting wand at the Capitol in Washington. Santa was visiting Speaker of the House John Boehner to urge ... more

Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images

You forgot to make him take off his belt: A Capitol Hill police... Photo-3882882.53820 - seattlepi.com

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12-13-12 just doesn't cut it: Distraught newlyweds-to-be Denis Zubakogl and Natalia Segva comfort each other after learning that their marriage registration will be delayed due to a computer crash at Bangrak district, a.k.a. the District of Love, in Bangkok. About 50 Thai and foreign couples planned to register their marriages at the district office on the 12-12-12 auspices occasion, but couldn't because the computer system was down. less

12-13-12 just doesn't cut it: Distraught newlyweds-to-be Denis Zubakogl and Natalia Segva comfort each other after learning that their marriage registration will be delayed due to a computer crash at Bangrak ... more

It must be getting colder in Auetal, Germany. The snowflakes are beginning to accumulate.

It must be getting colder in Auetal, Germany. The snowflakes are beginning to accumulate.

Photo: Ole Spata, AFP/Getty Images

It must be getting colde r in Auetal, Germany. The snowflakes are... Photo-3882886.53820 - seattlepi.com

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No warming allowed: A man who appeared to be homeless tries to warm himself on a steam vent on Market Street near the Alamo in San Antonio. A police officer arrived moments later and told him to move on.

No warming allowed: A man who appeared to be homeless tries to warm himself on a steam vent on Market Street near the Alamo in San Antonio. A police officer arrived moments later and told him to move on.

Photo: John Davenport, San Antonio Express-News

No warming allowed: A man who appeared to be homeless tries to... Photo-3877463.53820 - seattlepi.com

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Snow falling on simians: Japanese macaques cuddle for warmth by the hot springs of Jigokudani (Hell's Valley) Monkey Park in Yamanouchi.

Snow falling on simians: Japanese macaques cuddle for warmth by the hot springs of Jigokudani (Hell's Valley) Monkey Park in Yamanouchi.

Tickle, tickle: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, strokes Mince Pie's muzzle at Battersea Dog and Cats Home in London. Holding Mince Pie is comedian Paul O'Grady. The Duchess of Cornwall has long been a patron of Battersea and owns two Jack Russell terriers rescued by the shelter. less

Tickle, tickle: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, strokes Mince Pie's muzzle at Battersea Dog and Cats Home in London. Holding Mince Pie is comedian Paul O'Grady. The Duchess of Cornwall has long been a patron of ... more